SOFT TARGET VULNERABILITY - TEGUCIGALPA RESPONSE

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001284 SIPDIS STATE FOR DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/IP, DS/OCS, AND WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC KSCA PTER HO SUBJECT: SOFT TARGET VULNERABILITY - TEGUCIGALPA RESPONSE REF: A. STATE 133022 ¶B. TEGUC 1153 (EAC 5/13/03) ¶C. TEGUC 839 (EAC 3/20/03) ¶D. TEGUC 1144 (THREAT COMMUNIQU) ¶E. TEGUC 912 (SEPQ ANTI-U.S. ORG LIST) ¶F. TEGUC 776 (ACEQ CRIME EVAL) ¶G. 12 FAM 334.2 (INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS) ¶H. 12 FAM 422.4 (PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT) ¶I. TEGUC 1221 (USAID SECURITY) ¶1. Reference (A) Para 6, this mission has had an outreach program in effect with the Amcit private sector since well before 9/11. The program addresses a number of long-standing concerns related to violent crime, corruption and judicial system problems. The number ONE concern of Americans and Hondurans is the pervasive, ever-present threat of violent crime characterized by robberies, carjackings, bank robberies, home invasions, murder and street crime. ¶2. The Consul General meets with a wide range of Amcit residents in various parts of the country including retirees and those involved in education, NGOs, religious missions and business. The Economic/FCS section does much the same on an ongoing basis, as does RSO in terms of providing security advice. The three major areas of concern are crime, corruption and land dispute problems - all common to Honduras and Central America. ¶3. Honduras has ONE of the lowest ratios of police to civilians in Latin America, and the protection of personnel and property has been effectively privatized by the use of about 40,000 security guards countrywide versus 5,400 police. The case closure rate for murder is 1.5 percent so the need for caution is taken seriously. Businesses, fast food shops, gas stations, schools, banks and many residences are protected by private armed guards and patrols. Facilities that might be termed "Soft Targets" already have armed security protecting them from the ONE proven threat-crime. ¶4. Reference (B) and (C) RSO has worked with the local schools attended by Mission family members - American and Discovery school, (they close 6/12 for summer vacation and reopen in late August). They are independent, non-U.S. government institutions and have had security in place for some time due to the local situation. The more affluent students have their own bodyguards. These in-place measures and the security at most other facilities is an added benefit when faced with the possibility of the global terrorist threat. ¶5. Reference (D) outlines the recent communiqu that allegedly threatened American, British and Spanish diplomats in Honduras - not the public. The threat was deemed to be of concern, but not credible at this time. Reference (E) details the politically active Anti-U.S. groups in country that demonstrate, but have not been involved in terrorist-level actions. ¶6. The Mission website has a RSO section www.usmission.hn/english/secuirty.htm that provides a wide range of Honduras-specific security briefings including personal, residential, vehicle, travel, street, business and tourist advice. Additionally, information is provided to NGOs, religious missions, HEALTH workers and others to stay safe. The business security advice notes the risk of commercial vehicle hijackings and provides countermeasures. The site has a direct hotlink to the RSO office, which is used to quickly respond to questions regarding the security situation. Issues that are of interest to the Consular section are coordinated with the American Citizen Services unit. Pierce